RCT Homes is a large housing association in Wales that owns over 10,000 properties. They had an energy audit done on their headquarters that recommended upgrading the old fluorescent lighting to LED lights. A lighting specialist designed a new lighting system for the offices, meeting spaces, and other areas. An electrical contractor installed the new LED lighting system over two weeks without disrupting staff. The new intelligent lighting system uses sensors to detect people and daylight, allowing lights to dim or turn off when not needed to reduce energy usage. RCT Homes is pleased with the brighter and more comfortable work environment created by the new lighting design.

1. Introduction
RCT Homes is Wales’ largest housing
association with an asset list of over
10,000 properties. The organisation is
committed to providing an exemplary
service to its tenants and communities
throughout Rhondda Cynon Taff.
RCT Homes prides itself on being
committed to the environmental
agenda, striving for improvement in all
aspects of its operations.
In 2013, RCT Homes had an energy
audit carried out on their head office in
Pontypridd, south Wales which caters
for 250 employees. Amongst other
measures, the audit recommended
that the old florescent lighting be
upgraded to the latest LED technology.
RCT Homes were previously provided
with a quote by a well known
contractor, a quote which MPE
subsequently reduced by a massive
55%.
The Project
As well as being relatively energy
inefficient, the existing lighting had
very narrow beams which made the
walls dark. It had also become quite
yellow and the offices were in danger
of eventually becoming dingy and
unappealing places to work.
Our lighting specialist from Energy
at Work produced a tailored lighting
design which produced a bespoke
solution for office use, as well as
meeting spaces, kitchen areas, display
units and presentation suites.
Over a period of 2 weeks JR Services,
the electrical contractor, worked out of
hours to avoid disruption to staff and
the general day to day running of the
business. It was a seamless installation
process which resulted in a complete
overhaul of the lighting system in Ty
Pennant.
In addition, JR Services upgraded the
out of date, noncompliant emergency
lighting system to ensure a safe,
working environment.
RCT Homes, Ty Pennant
Meadow Prospect Energy
July 2015
The new LED lighting uses
approximately 28 Watts per light and
gives an even, comfortable lighting.
Illuminated walls are proven to reduce
contrast/glare which can cause
eyestrain. It is also said to make staff
more awake/productive.
Settings can be easily changed using
the hand-held remote-control. This
means each office can have different
light-levels, dim-settings, sensitivity to
daylight, light-durations and several
more options.
It’s even possible to dim lights
temporarily for when presentations are
taking place.
Every light can detect staff and
daylight so no light is on unnecessarily,
this saves energy even if staff are
working in other parts of the same
room!
When daylight is sufficient or no staff
are nearby, lights dim and eventually
switch off individually.
There is no need to wave arms around
as the detectors are a patented
sensitive design. There is never
a time when a person is working
in their own small patch of light
because neighbouring lights remain
at a dimmed setting long after work
colleagues have left the room.
Each light used approximately 82
Watts and created unpleasant hot-
spots and dark gloomy walls.
BEFORE
AFTER
AFTER
AFTERINTELLIGENT LIGHTING
“We are extremely pleased with the
new lighting design at Ty Pennant. It has
brightened the office areas and created a
more comfortable environment to work in”
David Evans
RCT Homes, Facilities Manager

2. SAVINGS Old Energy Costs New Energy Costs Energy Savings
Total kwhrs/yr 83,188.6 16,765.3 66,423
Total annual energy costs £9,125.93 £1,865.84 £7,260.09
Energy cost over 5 years £45,629.64 £9,329.19 £36,300.45
MPE ROLE
• Client meetings
• A free Lighting survey
• A lighting report showing ROI/
payback and full business case and
savings
• Technical Specification for
retrofit compliant
• Supply & Installation costs and
implementation plan
• All project management and
verification of results
• Detailed project handover
KEY FACTS
• Cost saving of 55% on previous
quote.
• Intelligent bespoke lighting design
for all in house operations
• 2 weeks, disruption free installation
period
• Carbon reduction of 45.8 tons
• Reduction in KWHrs of 66,423 pa
• 79.6% saving on lighting cost
• Easy to use interface for facilities
management
BENEFITS
• Reduced annual running costs
• Sustainability for the business
• Future proofed the building
• Less maintenance
• Improved lighting and working
conditions
• Increased energy awareness
• Less wasted lighting
• Controllability of individual lights
“Our first aim was to make staff feel more alert and productive. The
second was to save energy by using the most efficient LED lights
using a clever new detection system detecting presence and daylight,
inconspicuously and conveniently for staff and visitors. This is the
first project in the UK to benefit from this improved technology.”
Stephen Begg
Director, Energy at Work
JR
SERVICES